Which organization declared Machu Picchu a masterpiece of outstanding universal value? | Travel News
On December 9, 1983, 41 years ago, the world marveled at the unmatched splendor of Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca citadel perched atop a mountain. This date marked a turning point in how Peruvian culture was viewed globally, elevating the Inca site to one of the most significant archaeological landmarks in the world.
During the Seventh Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Florence, Italy, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu was officially inscribed as a "Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity." UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, described Machu Picchu as a masterpiece of human creative genius, showcasing extraordinary universal value in terms of science, conservation, and natural beauty.
The organization stated that the "Inca City of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu serves as the focal point of its surroundings, representing a remarkable synthesis of art, urban planning, architecture, and engineering of the Inca Civilization. Its integration with the mountain at the foot of Huayna Picchu is an exceptional achievement, seamlessly blending human ingenuity with the natural landscape, as if it were a natural extension of the mountain itself."
On its official webpage dedicated to the site, UNESCO praises Machu Picchu as a place of remarkable beauty set amidst a tropical mountain forest. "It was likely the most astonishing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its peak, with massive walls, terraces, and ramps appearing to be naturally carved from the rock escarpments. The site’s location, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, includes the upper Amazon basin, a region rich in biodiversity," the organization highlighted.
UNESCO further emphasized that the citadel’s construction involved transforming a mountain, a monumental effort that resulted in an unparalleled integration with its natural environment, making the structure an extension of the surrounding landscape.
The organization also described Machu Picchu as "a unique testimony of the Inca Civilization," showcasing an expertly planned layout that demonstrates territorial control, spatial organization, and the harmonious coexistence of social, productive, religious, and administrative functions.
Moreover, UNESCO underscored that the "historic monuments and features of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are set within a dramatic mountainous terrain, offering exceptional scenic and geomorphological beauty. This provides a prime example of a longstanding, harmonious, and aesthetically remarkable relationship between human culture and the natural world."
